Talk:2019 Jolo Cathedral bombings

Total casualties
Someone recently changing the total casualties with edit summary that "most sources saying 20" and citing the Philippine Daily Inquirer source published on 27 January 2019 at 02:11PM (UTC+8). On 11PM, the CNN Philippines has updated the count which is reduced to 18 and 82 injuries. Does we really depends on how many source produce with late update rather than the official count as they been updated? Molecule Extraction (talk) 15:22, 28 January 2019 (UTC)

Opinion column
"The attacks are believed to have been motivated by the local criminals' and bandits' fear of losing authority in their region after benefiting from ASG's trading in weapons and narcotics, which have thrived in Sulu Province's conflict zones."

I removed this as it is cited to an opinion column, which is only reliable for a statement of the author's opinion. The author's only other contribution listed in the source is titled "Duterte: Cleaning up Politics, The Streets, The Beaches of Boracay and Now Manila Bay" and begins "From improving air quality to removing rubbish, scum and chemicals from rivers and creeks, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has not just removed the criminal element from the streets but he is overseeing a revival of the beautiful natural environment of The Philippines ..." zzz (talk) 15:18, 29 January 2019 (UTC)

Explanation and link required
Article says, "Sulu was the only province to vote against the referendum" without saying there or previously what referendum, held when, on what question and with what result.

Even a link to another article would help, but a brief summary should be included here (e.g "the xxx referendum held in xxx 2018 which established xxx"). Example not fleshed out because I don't know the details! Jorvikian (talk) 16:42, 1 February 2019 (UTC)
 * ✔️ Issues have been addressed. Thank you for reporting. Molecule Extraction (talk) 06:33, 4 February 2019 (UTC)

a huge sum of money was paid by the victims fishing boat's owner
this is a little difficult to understand, is it the owner of the victim's fishing boat? the owner of a fishing boat who had hired the victim? Potholehotline (talk) 20:02, 2 February 2019 (UTC)
 * According to this source, it is said that:

"Samsul (the victim) and a crewmate were abducted from their boat in waters off Sabah before being taken to Jolo island. His fellow hostage, Usman Yunos, escaped in mid-December, Philippine officials said. Since Samsul was free, Indonesian officials have denied that the government paid ransom for his freedom....[•]...A Mindanao based source then said "I understand the ransom money was paid by the boat’s owner, not the Indonesian government, and it was a huge sum of money"."


 * Yes, based on another source it is stated that the Indonesian workers are working for Malaysian fishing companies in the fishing industry in eastern Sabah, this mean that the Mindanao-based source alleged that the fishing company has paid ransom money for the safe release of their workers. Molecule Extraction (talk) 06:32, 4 February 2019 (UTC)

Classy- no mention of Indonesian official condolences- why not?
No representation of Indonesia official and community group condemnation of attack on Jolo Cathedral. The article by omission, for which there is no adequate reason, considering a 30 second google search "Indonesia condemns Jolo bombing" yeilded immediately the following results:

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA 28-1-2019: "Indonesia Condemns the Terror Attack in Jolo, Philippines" (https://www.kemlu.go.id/en/berita/Pages/Indonesia-Condemns-the-Terror-Attack-in-Jolo,-Philippines.aspx)

Republika, Indonesian largest circulation newspaper Monday, 28 January 2019 "Indonesia condemns terrorist attack at Jolo Cathedral" https://en.republika.co.id/berita/en/national-politics/19/01/28/pm1psa414-indonesia-condemns-terrorist-attack-at-jolo-cathedral

Jakarta Post''' Indonesia expresses condolences following church bombing in Philippines''' https://www.thejakartapost.com/seasia/2019/01/28/indonesia-expresses-condolences-following-church-bombing-in-philippines.html

"Indonesian anti-terror squad travels to Philippines to help identify church bombers" https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/indonesian-anti-terror-squad-travels-to-philippines-to-help-identify-church-bombers

Singapore's Strait times (oddly far more balanced): "Indonesian anti-terror squad travels to Philippines to help identify church bombers" https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/indonesian-anti-terror-squad-travels-to-philippines-to-help-identify-church-bombers

Antara News 5 feb 2019: "Evidence on Indonesians involvement in Jolo Bombing Unreleased by PNP" https://en.antaranews.com/news/122154/evidence-on-indonesians-involvement-in-jolo-bombing-unreleased-by-pnp "The Philippines National Police (PNP) has yet to release evidence on an Indonesian couple's involvement in the Jan 27 church bombing in Jolo Island, southern Philippines, Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Sinyo Harry Sarundajang stated."

"Manila's claim still 'one-sided' on Jolo bombing Indonesian couple, says Jakarta" Jakarta Post https://www.thejakartapost.com/seasia/2019/02/04/manilas-claim-still-one-sided-on-jolo-bombing-ri-couple-says-jakarta.html

Ano openly has some axe to grind with Indonesia. This is due to multiple factors- he claimed without any forensic or video evidence that the attackers were Indonesian. 2. Indonesia is competing with Israel (arch enemy of Indonesia) for lucrative weapons sales to Philippines. 3. Indonesia is currently engaged in anti-terror training with Philippines, however some factions are unhappy with deeper involvement of Indonesia in Philippine affairs and wish to engage Israeli forces and expertise. This would conflict with current Indonesian trainers, instructors and operators. 4. Indonesia played a major role in the Mindanao peace agreement and the negotiations for increasing Mindanao autonomy- which has abraded vested interests in P{Philippines seeking to retain the former position prior to Indonesian IMT personnel monitoring the situation in Mindanao. 5. Indonesia is currently criticizing Israel as elected Member of UN Security Coucil.

"Indonesia's Role in the Southern Philippines, Good Credentials for Indonesia as Elected UNSC Member " https://www.kemlu.go.id/en/berita/Pages/Indonesia%27s-Role-in-the-Southern-Philippines,-Good-Credentials-for-Indonesia-as-Elected-UNSC-Member.aspx

https://en.antaranews.com/news/116091/indonesia-to-put-forward-palestine-issue-in-un-security-council Indonesia to put forward Palestine issue in UN Security Council "Four priorities of Indonesia in UN Security Council" https://en.antaranews.com/news/116143/four-priorities-of-indonesia-in-un-security-council "The president also called on the foreign minister to prioritize the issue of Palestine. "The issue of Palestine will be Indonesia`s priority in the UN Security Council," he added."

"Indonesia condemns closure of Temporary International Presence in Hebron" https://en.antaranews.com/news/122188/indonesia-condemns-closure-of-temporary-international-presence-in-hebron

"Indonesia's Never-Ending Support for Palestine" https://en.antaranews.com/news/121989/indonesias-never-ending-support-for-palestine

"Indonesia warns United Nations over Israel`s illegal settlements" https://en.antaranews.com/news/121984/indonesia-warns-united-nations-over-israels-illegal-settlements

2016: Antara news (state press) "Indonesia govt should strengthen security in indonesian-philippines border areas: House https://en.antaranews.com/news/105453/indonesia-govt-should-strengthen-security-in-indonesian-philippines-border-areas-house

"Philippines seeks Malaysia, Indonesia cooperation vs terrorism " https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/06/12/1709535/philippines-seeks-malaysia-indonesia-cooperation-vs-terrorism "Philippines, Indonesia defense chiefs agree to fight terror" https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/08/12/1841795/philippines-indonesia-defense-chiefs-agree-fight-terror

PH, Indonesia join forces vs terrorism https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-indonesia-join-forces-vs-terrorism/372352/

"Fighting back: How Indonesia's elite police turned the tide on militants" "“Densus 88 has become better than pretty well any other counter-terrorism group in the world,” said Greg Barton, a terrorism export and research professor in Global Islamic Politics at Alfred Deakin Institute in Melbourne.“They have had an incredible workload and they have become remarkably good at what they do.” https://www.reuters.com/article/us-indonesia-security/fighting-back-how-indonesias-elite-police-turned-the-tide-on-militants-idUSKBN14C0X3

Philippines orders 3 more SSVs, 2 missile ships – Indonesian official https://www.update.ph/2017/07/philippines-orders-3-more-ssvs-2-missile-ships-indonesian-official/19080

Duterte says he’ll buy only Israeli weapons… because there are no restrictions https://www.timesofisrael.com/duterte-says-hell-only-buy-israeli-weapons-because-there-are-no-limitations/ "Duterte praised Israel for helping the Philippines win its war on terror and said the Jewish state had aided the country on intelligence matters on multiple occasion" Pickypedian (talk) 20:40, 15 February 2019 (UTC)
 * the article does note the condolences briefly; see this note.--SamHolt6 (talk) 21:16, 15 February 2019 (UTC)

I concur with your evaluation of brief as being disproportionately small hopefully not deliberately
SamHolt6|SamHolt6]] (

I agree with your observation of "brief". In other words, nearly non existant. Despite the following lengthy and confusing paragrpah in comparison:
 * Indented text "The Indonesian consulate in Sabah has made a statement that they had no knowledge of any ransom paid by any parties for the release of their citizens from ASG abductors in recent kidnappings following the claim made by former JI member that ransom money was used in part of the bombings, adding that the central government of Indonesia also did not even communicate or negotiate with the kidnappers for their release.[119] Earlier in January 16, the Director of the Indonesian Citizens Protection of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Muhammad Iqbal also reject any claim on the use of ransom money, saying their hostages are released through the collaboration of "inside network" between their government and the Indonesian "assets" in the southern Philippines.[120] Responding to the alleged involvement of Indonesian citizens in the bombings, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said their government and the Indonesian mission in Manila still trying to get information from various parties in neighboring countries to confirm the claim..."

You are correct to point out that Indonesia, being South East Asia & Australasaia Oceania Pacific's largest single economy, populous nation and strongest military power Global Firepower ranking as #15, ahead of Australia #21 Thailand #27, Malaysia #44, Philippines #52, Singapore #67, in consideration to its proximity to Philippines (45km), historic and enduring good relations, substantial involvement in the Mindanao Peace AgreementThe Mindanao Peace Process andn the Challenges to Japan...., 2The Mindanao Peace Process: Can Indonesia Advance It? Bangsamoro_peace_process assisting PM Duterte in his Bangsamoro_Organic_Law, the Aquino Comprehensive_Agreement_on_the_Bangsamoro and Comprehensive_Agreement_on_the_Bangsamoro, fielding assets to patrol the peace via the IMT International_Monitoring_Team and equipping the Philippines military with modern warships BRP_Davao_del_Sur_(LD-602), Indonesia deserves far more than a throw-away footnote. I shall amend the article proper to suit and abbreviate the confusing paragraph quoted to suit.. Pickypedian (talk) 18:50, 16 February 2019 (UTC)

Latest Information regarding Jolo bombings case
Aljazeera: [] "Two people linked to Philippine church blast killed in Indonesia"

"Two people linked to Philippine church blast killed in Indonesia

Raid in Makassar in South Sulawesi by the Densus 88 unit led to a fatal shoot-out with two suspected fighters who resisted arrest. A counterterrorism unit raiding a hideout of armed fighters in central Indonesia on Wednesday shot dead two men suspected of involvement in twin bombings at a Philippine church in 2019 that killed more than 20 people.

Police said in a statement the raid in Makassar in South Sulawesi by the Densus 88 unit led to a fatal shoot-out with two suspected fighters who resisted arrest.

Makassar police chief Witnu Urip Laksana told Reuters news agency the suspects were involved in the bombings of a church on southern Jolo Island in a restive, predominantly Muslim region of the Catholic-majority Philippines.

Police carried out “firm and calculated” action against the two suspects, Witnu said, adding an investigation was continuing.

Police suspect the men were members of the ISIL-inspired Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), which has carried out a series of attacks in Indonesia."Raid in Makassar in South Sulawesi by the Densus 88 unit led to a fatal shoot-out with two suspected fighters who resisted arrest.

"In October 2020, Philippine authorities also arrested an Indonesian woman who was believed to be linked to a separate suicide attack on a military convoy in Jolo that killed 15 people and wounded dozens of others.

The Indonesian woman was the widow of another Indonesian who was killed by Filipino soldiers in Sulu in August 2020. She is also believed to be the daughter of two suicide bombers involved in the church bombing. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Pickypedian (talk • contribs) 11:25, 15 January 2021 (UTC)